My bike seems to cut out alot, any ideas?

Question

The bike seems to be cutting out more often when I have turned the bike for a while, less than two hours., then go for a spin. seems like maybe a fuel problem but if I leave the choke on for a bit then it'll run better.

its a Kawasaki kZ650 1977 - carbs prob away with it.

I've noticed that there seems to be a leak of petrol. It appears to be coming from one of the Carb breathers. It only is noticeable when i leave the bike sitting for a while.

I've noticed that there seems to be a leak of petrol. It appears to be coming from one of the Carb breathers. It only is noticeable when i leave the bike sitting for a while. could this be in anyway linked to the problem?

Answer 1

I would first try to determine if its a lack of fuel or spark causing it to die out, next time you take it out carry with you a spare spark plug and a flat head screw driver, when it stalls immediately pull off a plug wire, install the spare plug in the end of the plug wire ground the base of the plug to the cylinder head (hold it buy the plug boot to avoid a jolt!) crank the engine and look for spark, if you have no spark you can conclude its an electrical problem, if it has spark, use the regular screw driver to remove the float bowl drain screw, check for adequate fuel (at least an ounce or so) Considering that that bike still uses point type ignition , the answer is probably in the condensers, change and set the points and condensers, there is two of each, one set for cylinders 2 and 3, one set for cylinders 1 and 4, If the spark is good, check that the carb float bowls and gas tank are adequately vented. Good luck.

Answer 2

Try draining the carb float bowls first, if it runs ok with choke on its almost certain to be carbs.
Head Gasket failure will usually cause problems when cold I had a BSA on which the head gasket leaked from cold for about 2 miles then as the aluminium head and barrel warmed up and expanded and the steel head bolts expanded less it stopped blowing,
The old Z 650 never was that good, performance was not up to 650 Triumph standards and the handling and braking very poor, and now its 30 years old, and perhaps all that complexity is catching up with it, I had a friend with one at this period and that would not idle properly, set it up in a workshop and it would be fine but then it was much hotter than on the road so it would stall at every road junction unless the choke was on, try setting the tickover a bit higher, although I seem to remember it had 4 seperate tickover screws and needed vacuum gauges, and was far more trouble than it was worth. The only thing it did better than my 650 BSA was starting, like the BSA was Kickstart, and not dripping oil, even the BSA s crap brakes stopped quicker than the Kwak and worked in the wet.

Answer 3

I had a similar problem with a Honda- It would run for 10 mmin. then cut out. I replaced the ignition module, put in new plug wire, and checked the heat range of spark plug; no further problems.
Generallly, check the ignition system first with when engine problems (cut-out, backfire, lo power) occur: much cheaper and easier to fix. I'm guessing you get hard starts, as well: this will be fixed also. That engine is old: may be worn out.
Fuel problems are issue when you get bad mileage, low power, smokey exhaust. Pull the spark plug and check the points and gap; they should be clean, whitish with a tan-colored insulator- if they are black, it's either rich fuel mixture or oil burning, where the whole plug end exposed to cylinder will be fouled. Spark plugs are best indicator of engine running condition. GLWYP

Answer 4

Johnny, There are three things necessary for an internal combustion engine to work. 1) fuel 2) compression and 3) ignition. From what you described I would suspect the head gasket (compression) As the engine heats up and the head bolts expand, a bad head gasket will cause the loss of enough compression to experience engine cut out. You can buy an engine compression Gage at your local automotive parts store, they're fairly inexpensive. Call your Kawasaki dealer and find out what your compression should be and do the test yourself. If your like me, I love to work on my bike. When I do the work, I know it's done right. If you don't like to work on your own bike it will be a great learning experience for you.

Answer 5

Clean / change the plugs. (you can get them at the Advance auto parts, they are loads cheaper than the dealership). Adjust the clutch. If not, they sell a carb cleaner use a tiny bit. My husband used lots and bought blew his bikes carb'tor out. Put mid grade fuel in it. If that dont fix it,buy, a 16 gauge add a slug and take aim--naw, I am kidding,.. let me know if I helped any.I have more answers if the other dont help.

Answer 6

If it's cutting off after you ride for awhile, it may be your coils - coils that are faulty just stop working when they heat up. Are you able to start the bike up immediately after it stalls our or do you have to wait a few minutes?

If it's almost immediately, I'd suspect a fuel delivery problem. As soon as it happens, pull over and opening your gas cap quickly. Does it make a sucking noise? If so, your gas cap vent is clogged and in need of cleaning.

If it takes several minutes, I'd suspect the coils. There are tests you can do to check the coils - go to XS11.com and search for "test coils".

Answer 7

Take to the Kawasaki Shop and have it serviced, it will be worth your time. It's possible that the red dye in the gas has varnished up the carb. Put gas (Stabil-izer) in the fuel tank and run it through first.

Answer 8

try a good service including a carb clean, especially dropping the float bowls and cleaning out the gunk.

Also try cutting off the last half inch of the HT lead and resecuring the plug caps a little tighter

Answer 9

Maybe the spark plug needs changing or it could well be that you have a bit of moisture in your petrol.Could also be a blockage.Drain it down,put some fresh petrol in,clean everything up and see how it goes.Good luck.

Answer 10

properly you favor to get help. hit upon a psychological well being counselor to artwork with you. tell your mom and father! you're saying you do not elect to enable your relatives down yet how do you imagine they are going to sense even as they discover you lifeless because you by twist of destiny decrease too far or lost too a lot blood. in the mean time, ice water is a unprecedented distraction. some psych wards will use whats referred to as a "chilly moist sheet %.", basically wrapping your body in chilly moist sheets. In lowers your blood stress, and virtually receives rid of your concepts (your body also makes use of its personal warmth to warmth you up coming up an exceedingly therapuetic reaction). Now i'm no longer suggesting you wrap your self up and run around the abode utilising your moms bedsheets, yet plunging your palms right into a sink finished of ice water will create fairly a lot a similar reaction. (Plus that's the entire use discomfort to address discomfort technique). And nonetheless bypass and get help!